Prayagraj: In a major breakthrough for mobile connectivity, scientists at Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT), Prayagraj, developed a new antenna system that can significantly reduce network problems faced by passengers during travel, particularly on fast-moving trains and vehicles.The innovative project was designed by Vinay Kumar, Prof V S Tripathi, and Anand Sharma from the institute’s Electronics and Communication Engineering Department (ECED). According to the researchers, the antenna specifically targets the issue of signal disruption due to high speed and changing cell towers, which often affects passengers on trains.“We already developed the prototype of the antenna and successfully tested the same,” said Prof V S Tripathi. “To further enhance its capability, we are also developing a Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) that will complement the antenna. The development of RIS is expected to be completed within the next two years,” he said.The expert further informed that the UP Council of Science and Technology (UPCST) sanctioned a grant of Rs 14.5 lakh for the project. The research findings were published in the international journal Physica Scripta.The RIS is essentially a programmable metasurface that can dynamically control the properties of electromagnetic waves—such as amplitude and direction—in real time. Acting like a smart mirror, it will redirect signals transmitted by the antenna directly to the user, minimising signal loss. “When the device is used, the signals, which otherwise get lost between the two connecting towers, remain intact and thus the user will get much stronger and uninterrupted mobile signals,” explains Tripathi.This technological advancement is projected to be highly effective for both 5G and upcoming 6G networks. Once commercialised, the innovation could bring major relief to millions of commuters struggling with weak networks during journeys, said the expert.